Irreparable Damage

by Joseph T. Klempner

Stephen Barrow thinks he has it all-or at least, all he really needs. But one day, he makes an innocent mistake-and enters a nightmare that could rob him of his reputation, his freedom, and worst of all, his daughter...

SOME DAMAGE CAN NEVER BE UNDONE...

Since his divorce, writer Stephen Barrow has made a new life with his six-year-old daughter, Penny-a life that revolves around silly jokes, Barbie dolls, and a bond that most fathers would envy. But all that changes when Stephen takes an innocent photo of his daughter as she plays in the tub. The picture causes a stir in the photo lab, the police are called-and suddenly, Stephen is forced to defend himself against the worst accusation a father could ever face...

...AND SOME STORIES CAN NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

For reporter Theresa Mulholland, the Barrow case is a far cry from the human interest stories she usually covers. While she knows it's her job to stay objective, even Theresa secretly assumes that Stephen is guilty. But as she follows the case step-by-step, Theresa realizes that Stephen is not only being robbed of due process, but that he may, in fact, be totally innocent. Now, as the trial looms, the case Theresa never wanted to cover becomes the story of her career. And she will stop at nothing to help Stephen Barrow get justice-even if it costs her everything...

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 18, 2002

About the author

His full name is Joseph Teller Klempner, and he is also published as
Joseph Teller , at which web site further biographical information may be found.

Joseph T. Klempner is a former undercover agent for the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (now the Drug Enforcement Agency) and later as a defense attorney in New York City.

Reviews

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book extremely frustrating, which reflects what the protagonist feels. He's accused of producing kiddie porn because he snaps a picture of his young daughter in the bathtub mooning him. He doesn't even think there's film left and has no clue what's going on when he's arrested. What follows is a based on true events story of a guy caught up in a hyper-vigilant state of affairs. The daughter's clearly not being abused, the father's obviously not producing child pronography, and yet he's stuck in the system that decimates his life.

We certainly want laws to protect children from predators but this novel illustrates how a little common sense could go a long way in the course of interpreting laws.

[E. Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a truly suspenseful book I couldn't put down. I would have given it 5 stars, but the ending, although a victory for Stephen Barrow, seemed a bit too much like a Deus Ex Machina. I think it actually would have worked better if it had ended tragically with Barrow getting convicted and thrown in jail. It wouldn't have been what he or his young daughter would have deserved, but tragedies can be just as enjoyable as comedies, and he could have gone on to appeal the conviction (probably by the author adding an epilogue, or writing a sequel).

[Hannah]

11/11/14
Just started this new book and so far it's good! I'm on page 15, and haven't gotten far. The dad is taking harmless little pictures of his daughter in the bath tub currently, as she states she is a "unicord" (Since she is only 6, I believe, she is trying to say "unicorn"). They both laugh, which seems to be very good for a family that has just recently "separated". Then she turns and bends over mooning her dad, and he snaps a picture playfully, believing that the camera was out of roll.
-That's as far as I got for now-

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very quick read as I admit I skipped a lot of the legal jargon. I knew where this was headed but it was an ok read.

I almost didn't read it as I sadly could predict what was going on from the book jacket blurb. Depressing as I wondered how many of us could have behaved differently from Barrow.

[Lisa Blankenship]

One of my favorites!

[Alaric Moras · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing book. The author never skips a beat and is precise in all things. A 3.5 out of 5, actually. Short, concise and moving, it's a lovely book.